Around the World: United Kingdom

The Monument reopens

Britain's banks are in crisis, companies are shedding thousands of jobs - but some things are looking up in London's financial district.

A soaring 61-meter column of Portland stone known simply as The Monument reopened to the public yesterday after an 18-month restoration. It is both tourist attraction and symbol of hope, a memorial to London's recovery from one of its biggest disasters, the Great Fire of 1666 that destroyed much of the old city.